The person most familiar with the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park winner's circle didn't take long to revisit it Wednesday night when the track kicked off its 2012-13 live racing season with 15 races, 10 on the betting card and five non-betting Florida Sunshine Stakes events prior to the regular post time.
Bruce Ranger, the winningest driver in track history, had his picture taken with five triumphant horses, two from his own stable and three from different stables. Ranger's victories came with Selena (trainer Stewart Nemiro of the Ranger Stable), Barely Famous (Marc Aubin), Matcan (Nemiro), Credit Score (Bob Lippiatt) and Southwind Ricola (Jim McDonald).
The only other reinsman with more than one victory was Mel Turcotte, who scored with two two-year-old trotters, one colt (Proud Expression) and one filly (Tea Party Expess), in Florida Sunshine Stakes action.
Fastest mile on opening night belonged to Cascata, a $6,000 claiming pacer owned by Owen Eiler Jr. and Jennifer Petrelli, wife of trainer Frank Petrelli. Andy Santeramo guided the son of American Ideal to a neck tally over Base Camp (Ranger) in 1:56.2 with Mr Casual (Joe Sanzeri) collecting the show dough.
Racing resumes at Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park on Saturday night when the popular Miami Food Trucks make their first visit to the outdoor apron at the Winter Capital of Harness Racing.
(Pompano Park)